Paper , Order, or Assignment Requirements

PART 1 (COMPLETED)
“How strong or weak is Japan versus the EU in your sector of specialization”

List up 5-10 comparative strengths and weaknesses within the selected sector of specialization, by doing preliminary research on Japan’s situation a) in R&D and b) in business (do the search using the web, newspapers and books) and repeating the same preliminary research on the EU. This analysis will serve to answer the question of “how strong or weak is Japan versus the EU in your area of specialization”?

PART 2
“Assess Japan’s market size, R&D potential, and future growth in your sector of specialization”

In this section, refine to refine your understanding of Japan’s market size and structure in the previously chosen sector of specialization. In particular, try to answer the following questions:
– Is there a market in Japan for your sector of specialization? If “yes”, can you quantify market size and structure? What is the expected forecast growth of this market in the coming years? What are the drivers and enablers for growth?
– If “no”, explain why: (for example: because of legal restrictions or because the technology is still in R&D stage, etc…).
– What is the size of R&D in your sector of specialization? (note: there may be many ways to measure this, in terms of number of projects, size of investments in R&D, number of researchers working in this area, etc..).
– What are the prospects for future growth of R&D investments in Japan?
– Examine demand and overall attractiveness of the private sector versus public sector.

PART 3
“Assess Japan’s industry (size, actors, role of the Japanese government) as well as the competitive landscape (competition analysis) in your sector of specialization”

In the same way as in the previous section, identify the main industrial and governmental actors involved in developing/producing the technology/business in the chosen sector of specialization. In particular, you may try to answer the following questions:
– How many firms are involved in the industry (list up the main firms)? How do these firms participate in the industry (as businesses or R&D actors)?
– What is the role of the Japanese government in driving growth in the industry? How “strategic” is the technology/business for the Japanese government for Japan’s future growth?
– Are there any significant industrial associations/organizations involved in promoting the development of the technology/business? What are their roles?

Based on data gathered for the previous two sections, participants will make brief assessment of the competitive landscape. In particular, participants may try to address the following points:
– Describe the nature of the competition for the technology/business, (for example by using 5 forces analysis.
– Are there any Small and Medium Entreprises involved in the value chain? Which ones? What position do they occupy in the market? How do they compete with other actors?
– Describe the role and importance of Intellectual Property for companies to maintain their competitive position in the technology/business.

PART 4
“What technical and business cooperation projects is Japan internationally involved in the technology/business within your sector of specialization?”

Identify specific projects of multinational cooperation, countries involved, large firms, SMEs, research organizations, Universities, and other National Research Institutes teams involved. What areas of international cooperation is Japan engaged in? If there is no ongoing international cooperation, are there any national cooperation projects? Why is there no ongoing international cooperation?

PART 5
“Which EU firms, governments and/or R&D organizations are involved in cooperation projects in Japan related to your topic of specialisation?”

Identify specific EU firms (in particular SMEs), governments as well as possible R&D organizations actively involved in international cooperation with Japanese counterparts in the technology/business within your sector of specialization. Explain why the EU partners are involved in such cooperation, and explain what benefits the Japanese counterparts may draw from this cooperation.

PART 6
“How are industry, government and academia in Japan collaborating/working together in order to promote technological development in your field?”

Identify collaborative initiatives, projects, structures and platforms linking industry, government and academia in Japan which promote technological development in your field. To what extent are, for instance the local/national government and universities involved in collaborative research with the industry? Do they contribute to the solution or to the problem formulation? Explain why or why not such collaborations are being formed, and what outputs are expected.

PART 7
“How are Japanese firms/R&D organizations/ universities involved in supporting the development and promotion of technical standards and regulations which effect the development of, and opening access to, SMEs in the development of niche products?

Technical standards are highly important in many areas, for example in unifying production patterns and, thus in reducing production costs. What is the decision-making process in creating such standards in your industrial sector? Who are the actors involved? Are Japanese companies from your field leading in setting up global technical standards?